It’s not uncommon to hear a lot of inappropriate conversations on public transportation, but when Jim Hardie, a white, eight-year Marine and Iraq war veteran, heard black men throwing around the n-word and the b-word on a bus in Seattle last week, he said he couldn’t tolerate it.

“Given the nature of what we’ve gone through with the word n***** it’s not appropriate to loosely throw that word around or refer to white women as white b***** and I’d appreciate if they stopped that.”

But that confrontation didn’t go over so well. Camera footage shows the three guys first began arguing with Hardie, then hitting him before jumping off of the bus. Although the altercation was three against one, Hardie came out uninjured.

It’s interesting that Hardie said he stood up to the men to protect the other passengers on the bus. Despite the tussle, he said he would do it all over again to stand up for what he believed in. I wonder if his words had any effect on the young men. Judging by their reaction it would seem the answer is no.

What do you think about Jim Hardie confronting the men? Was it the right thing to do?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

Comment Disclaimer: Comments that contain profane or derogatory language, video links or exceed 200 words will require approval by a moderator before appearing in the comment section. XOXO-MN

yrithe

He doesn’t have to police people’s speech and private conversations! that’s their lingo, whether he agrees with it or not..

when kids of other races throw all kinds of disparaging words online, right in the open &on record, i don’t see anyone try to police them! they get sponsored by big corporations like yutube who turn their crass words into billion dollar bizness.

therefore i can’t take this man’s account nor intentions at face value, nor can i ever support his actions!//..

guest

You have lost your mind. They were on PUBLIC transportation, AND the conversation could NOT be that PRIVATE because Mr. Hardie heard them!

CJM

I’m African American and find the N-word to be a step back in time. Several people, not all African Americans have died defending the rights and respect due African American, including those fools, so we’d not have to suffer the disrespect and hurt the N-word inflicts. White-B or Black -B, the N-word too; use that type of language amongst youselves, if you must. I’m ashamed of those bruthas b/c they ALL looked old enough to know better. They were just showing their ignorance!

Ti

Spend your time getting a job! Not bringing your frustrations from NOT having a job into your everyday life! You WILL come across the wrong kat!

Ti

Listen tp the black women say: Oh…bad black guys! It WASN’T BECAUSE OF WHAT HE SAID,it was why he said it.He has the HERO complex.To YOU black women,it was the thing to do,but you have to pick your time and places! SO…white hero.Go and be a hero. COME TO COMPTON! Oh! And black women….go to his funeral! I know you want to. lol!
WHO is HE,to tell another when a black man shouldnt use the n~word? Good luck in life,hero! smh!

guest

Where in this article does it SAY ANYTHING about Black women? What are you reading?

T T

Basic.

Ms_Sunshine9898

Every time we to elevate ourselves, some fool brings us back down. . .

http://www.facebook.com/deedeerussell Dee Dee Russell

SEE!!!
I’ve been saying this over…using N gets you NO RESPECT and that INCLUDES HIP HOP. Folks laugh at you! Its NOT HIP it’s NOT COOL it’s NOT “OUR” word!!

Those same fools heckle BW, too. BM=LEAD EACH OTHER! Teach your damn sons how to behave in public BM…STOP making excuses for YOUR SONS.

Need more men that that. Won’t be kneegrows, though. They sit on their hands when ish goes down.

reese

I wonder if they think it is cute. It is sad that we are portraying ourselves this way. And a white guy has to tell them not to do this. It is beyond silly.

Gina

Im tired of young black men acting like niccas. It’s a shame…They should know better.

IllyPhilly

So was he mad at the white b*tches usage or the n*gga (er, ah, az) part?

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003085266535 Courtney Small

And they probably had the nerve to call him a racist. Im tired of standing up for my own people. Im done… I can’t do it anymore.

reese

This is stupid. He had to tell these fools about respect. I hope they spend some time in jail

http://www.urban-society.de hassia

Please rid your self of he with the moniker C I T H, they are becoming rather well, for want of a better word, simple.